On Wednesday, June 5, nurses from Lutheran Children's Hospital accepted a large, colorful painting created by a fifth grade Junior Girl Scout Troop made up of students from Lafayette Meadows and Aboite Elementary schools as well as some who are homeschooled. The troop and its leaders presented LCH staff with the painting at 10 a.m. on the second floor near the tree house elevator in Lutheran Hospital's main lobby.

Nurses, patients and their families at Lutheran Children's Hospital will have this vibrant piece of artwork to enjoy thanks to Junior Girl Scout Troop #20620, which has been intact for six years.

The troop designs its activities based on four girl-lead teams. The "art team" came up with the idea of creating a mural which would be donated to a children's hospital. The troop worked under the direction of a guest artist, Mrs. Erin McKeever, the art teacher at Lafayette Meadows.

"The girls loved working on this mural!" said Robin Simunek, one of the four adult leaders of Junior Girl Scout Troop #20620. "The reason that the girls wanted to donate this mural to Lutheran Children's Hospital is because they wanted to help others to feel good. They wanted to share some of their energy and joy and to give a 'smile' to families who are at the hospital."

Each girl painted a circle of their own design on a square piece of tag board. After the paintings dried, they were each cut into quadrants. All of the quadrants were then recombined with each other and assembled to make this beautiful mosaic of colorful circles.

The final design reflects the troop in many ways. The circle shapes are similar to the circular badges which Junior Girl Scouts earn and wear on their uniforms. The mixing of each girl's quadrant with the others is symbolic of how these girls work with, share and support each other. The vibrant, joyful colors reflect their dynamic personalities.